The Four Noble Truths

Overview

Four Noble Truths in order, dukkha-dukkha and give an example and medical metaphor applied to the Four Noble Truths.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

1. 1

   State the Four Noble Truths in order.

   Model answer

   They are that there is dukkha, that dukkha has an arising, that dukkha can cease, and that there is a path leading to that cessation.

2. 2

   Define dukkha-dukkha and give an example.

   Model answer

   Dukkha-dukkha is straightforward painful experience, such as illness, injury or grief.

3. 3

   Define viparinama-dukkha.

   Model answer

   Viparinama-dukkha is the unsatisfactoriness produced by change, when something enjoyable alters or is lost.

4. 4

   Define sankhara-dukkha.

   Model answer

   Sankhara-dukkha is the subtle unease of conditioned existence itself, since everything a person is depends on unstable conditions.

5. 5

   Why is viparinama-dukkha said to spoil pleasure rather than exclude it?

   Model answer

   The pleasure is real, but knowing it will pass and trying to hold it introduces an anxiety that the enjoyment cannot remove.

6. 6

   Explain the medical metaphor applied to the Four Noble Truths.

   Model answer

   The Buddha acts as a physician who identifies the symptom, diagnoses its cause, states that a cure exists, and prescribes the treatment.

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